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Saline (sterile salt water) injections can be a safe, inexpensive option for reducing depressed and rolling acne scars. The rolling and atrophic types of acne scars are caused by many different factors including thick fibrous bands that pull the center of the scars down and cause its adherence to the deeper reticular dermis and fascia.

I have described in the past how needling and subsicion in addition to fat transfer and Mixto CO2 resurfacing can reduce these types of scars.

A less invasive method of improving these scars is to inject the deepest portion of the scars with a bolus of sterile salt water. No one is allergic to salt water (our body is 90 percent salt water) and risks such as infection and bleeding/scarring are very small. Water molecules are very small and can hydro-dissect the acne scars and cause a small amount of bleeding into the deepest portion of the scars. This, in turn, causes Collagen and Elastic fiber synthesis and improves the deeper scars.

Five to seven treatments are usually needed to see a significant improvement. Saline injection is usually used in conjunction with Cooltouch lasers, peels, fat or fillers.

The treatments take 15 to 30 minutes and can be performed under local anesthesia. Downtime is usually 1-3 days .Most patients may return to work or school with minimal bruising and swelling that can last up to a week.

Cost :$250-$500 per treatment (depending on the size of the area involved).

All treatments are performed by Dr. A. David Rahimi. You will be treated by a double board certified Dermatologist and Cosmetic surgeon with over 14 years of clinical experience.

 Dr. David Rahimi has performed over 100000 successful laser and cosmetic treatments.

Melasma in Latin Americans

A recent article in the journal of Drugs and Dermatology by Maritza Perez, et al on Melasma causes and treatments was quite thorough. Although the cause of Melasma remains elusive (combination of genetic predisposition, hormone replacement, pregnancy, thyroid disorder, and sun exposure) better treatments are emerging.

Topical therapies include:

2%, 4%, 6%, 8% Hydroquinone cream

Retin A creams and gels

Differin Gel

Mild Corticosteroids (pulsed)

Azelaic Acid gels

Kojic Acids

Combination therapies of all of the above and SPF 50

Procedural approaches:

Glycolic peels (10%, 20%,30%,50%, 75%)

Beta Glycolic and Salicylic Acid peels

Microdermabrasion and O2 Facials

Lasers and Light Sources:

Photofacial (IPL)

CO2 Fractional Laser (Mixto Fraxel)

Erbium Fraxel (Alma laser)

MED (manual Epidermal Dermabrasions) -see list of procedures on this site

Treating Melasma is challenging and requires a lot of patience from

the patient and the practitioner.

Treatment packages of 5 treatments over 2-3 months start at $500.

Please see us for a complementary evaluation and an individualized treatment regimen.

A. David Rahimi,MD,FAAD,FAACS.